Dispensing control mechanism

ABSTRACT

A plurality of components are selectively and sequentially discharged from a magazine by a dispensing control mechanism. The mechanism includes a piston arrangement upon which a tube is rigidly mounted within a piston. The piston, in turn, is slidably mounted within an air cylinder. One of a plurality of successive components to be ejected from the magazine is situated beneath the tube. Air under pressure is introduced into the cylinder and the air forces the piston downward so that the tube enters into an opening in the magazine and ejects the component therefrom. After ejecting the component from the magazine, the tube returns to its initial position and a cam controlled advance mechanism indexes the magazine to a position where a second component is situated beneath the tube.

United States Patent [1 1 Bohannon, Jr.

451 Aug. 7, 1973 DISPENSING CONTROL MECHANISM [76] Inventor: William D. Bohannon, Jr., Rt. 3, Box

669, Graham, NC. 27253 [22] Filed: Sept. 13, 1971 [211 Appl. No.: 179,849

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1965 Maurer 221/81 X 9/1967 Edwards 5/1972 Umahashi 221/81 X Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Larry Martin Attorney--W. M. Kain et al.

F ROM 33 1 ABSTRACT A plurality of components are selectively and sequentially discharged from a magazine by a dispensing control mechanism. The mechanism includes a piston arrangement upon which a tube is rigidly mounted within a piston. The piston, in turn, is slidably mounted within an air cylinder. One ofa plurality of successive components to be ejected from the magazine is situated beneath the tube. Air under pressure is introduced into the cylinder and the air forces the piston downward so that the tube enters into an opening in the magazine and ejects the component therefrom. After ejecting the component from the magazine, the tube returns to its initial position and a cam controlled advance mechanism indexes the magazine to a position where a second component is situated beneath the tube.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing lFigures PAIENIEM 3.750.830

sum 2 or 2 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to co-pending applications to W. D. Bohannon, Jr., Ser. No. 50,547 filed June 29, 1970, entitled Package" and Ser. No. I79,848 filed on even date entitled Method and Apparatus for Automatically Inserting Components in a workpiece."

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a component dispensing system, and more particularly, to a novel apparatus that will automatically dispense a plurality of electrical components selectively and sequentially from a container to a desired location.

2. Technical Considerations and Prior Art In many instances, a plurality of components are packaged in a single container and must be dispensed therefrom prior to using. It is often desired to automatically, selectively, and sequentially dispense the components from the container onto a desired location. There are many known prior art techniques for accomplishing this end. One such technique employs, in combination a conveying means where the containers are conveyed from one location to another location; an ejecting means which ejects the components from the container as they are conveyed through the desired location; and a control actuating means which actuates the ejecting means to eject the components sequentially from the container at a periodic interval that corresponds to the interval in which each of a series of components sequentially passes through the desired location. With this type of system, it is required that the components be properly aligned and spaced in the container so that the control mechanism will actuate the ejecting means at an interval when a particular component is situated over the desired location. There is one serious drawback to this type of system. If the components are not properly aligned within the container there is no direct way that the control means can sense this to alter its interval of actuating the ejecting means. Consequently, during its conveyance a component will not be situated at the desired location when the ejecting means is actuated to eject the component from the container. Therefore, the ejecting means will not eject the component in the manner desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is drawn to a novel dispensing control mechanism which permits conveyance of a package containing a plurality of components to a desired location such that each component in the package is correctly situatedat a desired location before ejecting the component from the container.

A general object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for sequentially dispensing components, such as integrated circuit packages (hereinafter called ICPs) from a magazine only when each component is situated at a desired location.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for allowing a magazine containing a plurality of ICPs to advance to a position adjacent the apparatus until a component is properly situated at a desired location, intermittently stopping the magazine, ejecting the component at the desired location from the magazine and subsequently allowing the magazine to advance to a position where a second component is properly situated at the desired location to repeat the cycle.

Briefly, in a general embodiment of the invention, the# apparatus comprises a dispensing mechanism which sclectively ejects the ICPs from the magazine, and a controlled advance mechanism which incrementally permits advancement of the magazine under the dispensing mechanism after the [CPS are: ejected therefrom.

A feature of the apparatus is a piston arrangement that is air operated and is employed to eject ICPs from the magazines.

Another feature ofthe apparatus is a sensing arrangement for detecting whether an ICP is properly situated in a desired location beneath the piston arrangement prior to ejection from the magazine.

A further feature of the apparatus is a cam operated indexing mechanism for allowing advancement of the magazine under the piston arrangement and controlling the advancement thereunder to insure that an ICP situated within a compartment in the magazine is properly advanced to a desired location under the piston arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will appear more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmented side view in section illustrating a piston arrangement for dispensing an ICP from a chamber in the magazine;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view partially in section ofa mechanism for selectively indexing a magazinc from an advanced track into a communicative position with the piston arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a planar view of a section of FIG. 2 illustrating in greater detail a part of the mechanism of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hopper assembly and track conveying mechanism which may beemployed to store and convey magazines containing ICPs to the dispensing mechanism.

DETAILED DECRIPTION Referring more particularly to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustratively shows an ICP 11 having a plurality of leads 12 extending therefrom. The ICP 11 has an integrated circuit formed therein such as a plurality of AND gates, OR gates, flip-flops, amplifiers, or other circuitry.

Referringnow to FIG. 2, a plurality of ICPs 11 (only one is shown) are retained in an elongated molded plastic magazine 13. The magazine 13, which is described in detail in co-pending, co-assigned application Ser. No. 50,547, dated June 29, 1970, to Bohannon et al. entitled Package, has a plurality of chambers l4l4 with a small round opening 16 in the top of each compartment, and a fully opened bottom. Each chamber 14 houses a corresponding ICP 11-.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the ICP 11 is held in the top of the chamber 14 by a plurality of flexible tabs 17-17. The ICP 11 has a flat side 18 (FIG. 2) against one of the side walls 15 of the chamber 14 to orient the ICP within the chamber 14. The ICP 11 is ejected from the chamber 14 by pushing downward through the hole to force the ICP 11 past the tab 17-17 (FIG. 1) and out of the bottom of the chamber.

DISPENSING MECHANISM In accordance with the invention, a dispensing mechanism 21 employed to eject the ICP 11 from the chamber 14 is illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the dispensing mechanism 2] includes a piston 22 that is employed to selectively eject an ICP 11 from the chamber 14 of the magazine 13 (FIG. 2). The piston comprises a cylinder 23 having a bore 24 located within. Extending longitudinally, axially, and centrally through the cylinder 23 is a cylindrical hollow tube 25. Slidably mounted with the bore 24 and rigidly affixed to the tube 25 is a mating piston 26. The piston 26 is normally urged upwardly by the bias of a spring member 27 retained between the bottom of the bore 24 and the piston 26.

An inlet 28 extends through the upper side of the cylinder 23 and communicates with an upper portion of the bore 24 to define an inlet port through which a pressurized fluid such as air is introduced. An outlet 29 extends through the lower side of the cylinder 23 and communicates with a lower portion of the bore 24 to define an outlet port through which the pressurized air is discharged from the cylinder. An air switch 30 communicates with the outlet 29.

A seal 31 is provided between the outer periphery of the piston 26 and the sides of the bore 24 to preclude leakage between the inlet port 28 and the outlet port 29, when pressurized air is introduced into the bore 24. A suitable pressurized fluid source 33, such as air, is employed to provide pressure to the inlet 28. A valve 34 intercepts the flow of air from the source 33 to the inlet 28 so that pressure may be selectively applied to the inlet to force the piston 26 downward against the spring member 27.

The piston arrangement is situated so that the tube 25 when in operation overlies the opening 16 of the chamber 14. Sufficient air is then introduced via the valve 34 into the inlet port 28 to force the piston 26 downward.

The movement of the piston 26, in turn, urges the tube 25 downward into engaging relationship with the ICP 11 to force the ICP past the tabs 17 and out of the chamber 14. Air emerges from the outlet 29, and the switch 30 senses the exhaust air, indicating that the tube 25 has completed a downward stroke. The switch 30 then closes the valve 34, thus allowing the tube 25 to return to its original position, via action of the spring 27.

ADVANCE CONTROL MECHANISM Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a mechanism 41 which allows the magazine 13 to advance one chamber at a time under the piston mechanism 21 (FIG. 1). The mechanism 41 (FIG. 2) includes a rotatable shaft 42 of fixed length defined by two ends. At one end of the shaft 42, a first semicircular cam 43 is affixed. A second like semi-circular cam 44 is affixed between the ends of the shaft 42 spaced from the first cam 43. The spacing between the cams 44 and 43 is equivalent to one-half the length of the chamber 14 of the magazine 13, and the first cam 43 is oriented to be off-set 90 from the second cam 44. A pinion member 46 is mounted on the shaft 42 a spaced distance from the second cam 44.

Situated beneath and engaging the pinion 46 is a rachet 47. Coupled to the rachet 47 is an air cylinder 48, which, in turn, is connected to an air source 33 (FIG. 1). The air cylinder 48 (FIG. 2) also selectively communicates with a central opening 50 (FIG. 1) in the tube 25 via a conventional, electrically operated four way control valve 51 (FIG. 2) which is, in turn, operated by an air switch 52. Air is supplied to the opening 50 by an air source 49.

The shaft 42, the rachet 47, and the air cylinder 48 are suitably retained in proper position by a support member 53. An end 54 (FIG. 3) of the shaft extends through a wall of the member 53 and is engageable with a suitable backing member 55 (FIG. 2).

Referring back to FIG. 3, the end section 54 of the shaft 42, which extends through the wall of the support 53 (FIG. 2), has a small hollow well 56 (FIG. 3) formed therein. The shaft 42 is resiliently mounted through the member 53 (FIG. 2) such as by spring loading via a suitable spring member 57 (FIG. 3) situated about the shaft and retained between the pinion 46 (FIG. 2) and the wall of the member 53. A small tolerance is maintained between the end 54 (FIG. 3) of the shaft 42 and the bracket member 55 to define an open chamber 58 which is defined by the well 56 and the member 55.

Air is introduced from a source 59 (FIG. 2) into a first opening 60 (FIG. 3) in the member 55, which communicates with the chamber 58. A second opening 61 is connected to a sensing switch 62 (FIG. 2). With the chamber 58 in a normal open position (FIG. 3) as aforedescribed, air passes from the source 59 (FIG. 2) through the opening 60 (FIG. 3) into the chamber 58 and out thereof via the tolerance between the member 55 and the end 54 of the shaft 42.

OPERATION In operation, the magazine 13 is continuously urged by a mechanism to move along a path which passes under the dispensing mechanism 21 (FIG. 1).

Referring now to FIG. 4, one such mechanism is illustratively shown in a copending, co-assigned application to Bohannon, et al., entitled Method and Apparatus for Automatically Inserting Components in a Workpiece," Ser. No. 179,849, filed on even date herewith.

In the above mentioned copending application, the magazines 13 are stacked from top to bottom in a plurality of compartments 72 of a hopper assembly 71. The lowermost magazine 13 in each compartment 72 engages a respective, underlying track 73. A pivotally mounted pawl member 74 projecting centrally upward through an elongated slot 76 in the track 73 and initially situated at the outermost end of the assembly is suitably actuated to convey the lowermost magazine 13 along the track 73 to a position away from beneath the assembly 71. The pawl 74 is then actuated to return to its inital position along the track underlying the extreme outer end of the assembly 71. Meanwhile, the next lowermost magazine 13 falls to the track 72 when the lowermost magazine 13 clears beneath the assembly 71. In like manner the pawl 74 conveys the second magazine 13 along the track 73 so that the forward end of the second magazine abuts the trailing end of the first magazine 13. Continually repeating this cycle provides for continuous movement of the magazine to a position under the dispensing mechanism 21 (FIG. 1). When a first chamber 14 of the magazine 13 is underneath the tube 25 (FIG. 2), the cam 43 is positioned such that a face of the cam abuts a forward outer wall 19 of the chamber 14 to impede the movement of the magazine. When the wall 19 is in proper position against the cam 43, the force of the wall against the cam will also urge the shaft 42 into engaging relation with the member 55 to close the chamber 58. With the chamber 58 closed, air entering from the first opening 60 is now forced out through the second opening 61 and is detected by the switch 62. The sensing of the outlet air by the switch 62 indicates that the chamber 14 is in the proper position under the tube 25. The switch 62 submits a signal to a suitable control device (not shown) which opens the valve 34 (FIG. 1) to per mit air to enter through the inlet 28 into the chamber 24. Air also flows from the source 49 into the opening 50 of the tube 25.

When an ICP 11 is in positon in the chamber 14 (FIG. 2) beneath the tube 25, air traveling through the opening 50 (FIG. 1) in the tube is restricted. This creates a back-pressure within the tube 25 which is sensed by the switch 52. With the cam 43 in a upward engaging position against the wall 19, the switch 52 sensing the back pressure from the air in the opening 50, operates to prevent air from entering the cylinder 48 by placing the control valve 51 (FIG. 2) in a closed position. The air in the chamber 24 (FIG. 1) forces the tube 25 downward into the chamber 14 where it ejects the [CF 11 from the chamber (FIG. 2). The restricted air is then permitted to pass from the opening 50 in the tube 25 through the opening 16 in the chamber to relieve the back-pressure within the tube. Simultaneously, air also passes from the outlet 29 to the switch 30 communicating therewith. As described previously,

when the switch 30 senses the flow of air from the outlet 29, it immediately actuates to return the tube 25 to its original position, as aforedescribed.

Meanwhile, when an [CF 11 is ejected from the chamber 14, the switch senses the drop in the back pressure in the opening 50 due now to the unrestricted flow of air from the opening 50 to the opening 16 in the chamber 14. After the tube 25 has returned to its orginal position, the switch 52, via a suitable timing device (not shown) then acts to open the valve 51. Air enters and actuates the cylinder 48 to advance the rack 47 and rotate the pinion 46 in a counterclockwise direction. The cam 43 thus moves out of engagement with the wall 19 of the chamber 14. The magazine 13 is then permitted to freely advance under the dispensing mechanism 2] (FIG. 1) in the direction of the arrow (FIG. 2). The wall 19 of the chamber 14 next abuts the cam 44, which has been rotated into engaging relation with the wall. In this position, the movement of the magazine 13 is again impeded. Since the distance between the cam 43 and the cam 44 is equal to half the length of the chamber 14, the magazine has advanced to a position so that the tube 25 is now over a top enclosed surface of the magazine between the openings 16. This again restricts the flow of air through the opening 51 creating back-pressure which is sensed by the switch 52. The switch 52 then acts to close the four way valve 51, thus reversing the flow of air in the cylinder 48. Accordingly, the rack 47 reverses its movement to rotate the pinion 46 in clockwise direction back to its initial position. The cam 44, in turn, moves out of engagement with the wall 19 and the magazine 13 is now free to advance to a position where a corresponding wall 19 of the next chamber 14 abuts the cam 43 which is now in engaging position with the wall. The tube 25 is now positioned over a second opening 16 of the second chamber 14 and a new [CF 11 is positioned to be ejected by the tube 25.

If there is no ICP 11 in the chamber 14, the switch 52 will act as if an ICP has been ejected from the chamber in the manner as aforedescribed and will operate to open the valve 51 and actuate the cylinder 48 to move the cam 43 out of engaging position with the wall 19. The magazine 13 is then free to advance to a forward position until a corresponding chamber 14, having an ICP 11, is situated beneath the tube 25.

A conventional computer programmed control unit may be employed to actuate the piston 22. A suitable unit is a tape feed numerical control unit which is manufactured under the trade name of "Slo-Syn Numerical Control System" by the Superior Electric Co., Bristol, Conn.

The switch 30, which senses the completion of the downward stroke of the tube 25, is a conventional airoperated sensing switch, such as that manufactured by Custom Components Inc., Chadsworth, Colorado, Model number 607G173. The switch 52, which senses the presence or absence of an ICP 11, and the switch 62, which senses the proper position of the magazine 13, are commercial air-operated electrical switches. A typical switch of this type is illustrativly manufactured by Fairchild Control, Hicksville, N. Y. under the trade name Faircom Pressure Switches, model number PSF-IOOA.

The dispensing control mechanism of this invention may be employed in any system wherein it is desired to selectively and sequentially eject components from a package, while controlling the movement of the package. Such a machine wherein the mechanism may be employed is illustratively disclosed in previously re ferred to co-pending, co assigned application, Ser. No. l79,849 to Bohannon et al., entitled Method and Apparatus for Automatically Inserting Components in a workpiece.

It should be noted that the above-described mechanism is merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Modifications may be made by persons skilled in the ordinary art without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for sequentially dispensing components from chambers of a magazine, comprising:

means for ejecting a component from a chamber of the magazine; 1

means for sequentially advancing the chambers of the magazine into alignment with said ejecting means;

a rotatably mounted shaft;

a pinion mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith;

a rachet mounted for displacement in a first and second direction to engage and rotate the pinion;

a cam mounted for rotation with the shaft and for engaging the magazine to prevent advancement thereof;

means for displacing the rachet in the first direction to rotate the pinion, shaft and cam so as to rotate the cam out of engagement with the magazine and in a second direction to rotate the cam into engagement with the magazine, the sequential advancing means advancing the magazine when the cam is rotated out of engagement with the magazine;

means for sensing the absence of a component within a chamber advanced into alignment with the ejecting means;

means responsive to said sensing means for actuating the displacing means to rotate the cam out of engagement with the magazine when the absence of a component in a chamber aligned with the ejecting means is sensed so that the sequential advancing means advances a subsequent chamber into alignment with the ejecting means; and

means for actuating said ejecting means to dispense a component from the chamber aligned with the ejecting means.

2. A dispensing control mechanism for sequentially ejecting components from a magazine, comprising:

a tube mounted for reciprocal displacement along the longitudinal axis thereof; means for flowing air through the tube;

means for advancig the magazine beneath the tube;

means responsive to the flow of air through the tube for interrupting the advancement of the magazine as it passes beneath the tube when a component in the magazine restricts the flow of air through the tube;

means for displacing the tube towards and away from the magazine along the longitudinal axis of the tube to engage and eject a component which is aligned with the tube from the magazine; and

means responsive to ejection of a component for actuating the displacing means to displace the tube away from the magazine, said interrupting means releasing said magazine for further advancement when the tube is displaced away from the magazine.

i I I t i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION I [7 Patent No. 3,? 50,,83O Dated August 7, 1973 inv nr fl WILLIAM D. BOHANNON, JR.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover; sheet, below "lnventOrz" insert "Assignee: Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, New York". Column 4, line 44, cancel 179 849" and insert -179,8A8--. Column 5, line 59, cancel "51 and insert -5o-- Column 6, line 38, cancel 179, 849" and insert "179,848".

" Signed and sealed this 23rd day of July 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN I Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PC4050 USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 0.5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I969 O366-33l. 

1. Apparatus for sequentially dispensing components from chambers of a magazine, comprising: means for ejecting a component from a chamber of the magazine; means for sequentially advancing the chambers of the magazine into alignment with said ejecting means; a rotatably mounted shaft; a pinion mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith; a rachet mounted for displacement in a first and second direction to engage and rotate the pinion; a cam mounted for rotation with the shaft and for engaging the magazine to prevent advancement thereof; means for displacing the rachet in the first direction to rotate the pinion, shaft and cam so as to rotate the cam out of engagement with the magazine and in a second direction to rotate the cam into engagement with the magazine, the sequential advancing means advancing the magazine when the cam is rotated out of engagement with the magazine; means for sensing the absence of a component within a chamber advanced into alignment with the ejecting means; means responsive to said sensing means for actuating the displacing means to rotate the cam out of engagement with the magazine when the absence of a component in a chamber aligned with the ejecting means is sensed so that the sequential advancing means advances a subsequent chamber into alignment with the ejecting means; and means for actuating said ejecting means to dispense a component from the chamber aligned with the ejecting means.
 2. A dispensing control mechanism for sequentially ejecting components from a magazine, comprising: a tube mounted for reciprocal displacement along the longitudinal axis thereof; means for flowing air through the tube; means for advancig the magazine beneath the tube; means responsive to the flow of air through the tube for interrupting the advancement of the magazine as it passes beneath the tube when a component in the magazine restricts the flow of air through the tube; means for displacing the tube towards and away from the magazine along the longitudinal axis of the tube to engage and eject a component which is aligned with the tube from the magazine; and means responsive to ejection of a component for actuating the displacing means to displace the tube away from the magazine, said interrupting means releasing said magazine for further advancement when the tube is displaced away from the magazine. 